sambum

He has been charged with 'illegal possession of a firearm'.......so it wasn't supplied by his employer as part of his equipment. He obviously just decided he was going to become the local Sheriff and started packing a side arm.

What we will hear next is how sorry he is and some crap excuse like he was under severe stress because his wife just had triplets or somebody poisoned his favorite cat the night before.

Yet another one who can't/won't read, and makes up his own "facts" (As demonstrated by the inverted commas) So where does it say he has been charged with "illegal possession of a firearm"?

"was relieved of his registered firearm which the bank issues to him on a daily basis"

“He was charged with threatening someone with a gun,” said Police.Lt.Kewaleesiri Phasukthanaphaisal from Pattaya Police Station.

By the way - not defending his actions in any way! Just like to see the true picture!

Read post number 77....

Yes, I have and while it does indeed state:-

"The guard, Natthapong Konchanthet, 40, has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and threatening another individual.

“He is currently being detained at Pattaya Provincial Court,” Lt. Kewaleesiri Phasukthanaphaisal of Pattaya police said today. “His company has already contacted us to apologize to the Australian man.”

However " “He was charged with threatening someone with a gun,” said Police.Lt.Kewaleesiri Phasukthanaphaisal from Pattaya Police Station.

So, I am still looking for the "true picture"!

He has been charged with 'illegal possession of a firearm'.......so it wasn't supplied by his employer as part of his equipment. He obviously just decided he was going to become the local Sheriff and started packing a side arm.

What we will hear next is how sorry he is and some crap excuse like he was under severe stress because his wife just had triplets or somebody poisoned his favorite cat the night before.

Yet another one who can't/won't read, and makes up his own "facts" (As demonstrated by the inverted commas) So where does it say he has been charged with "illegal possession of a firearm"?

"was relieved of his registered firearm which the bank issues to him on a daily basis"

“He was charged with threatening someone with a gun,” said Police.Lt.Kewaleesiri Phasukthanaphaisal from Pattaya Police Station.

By the way - not defending his actions in any way! Just like to see the true picture!

He must of been watching too many documentaries on the good ol US of A.

You just had to didn't you?

Although I don't trust the RTP for 1 second, it seems to be a plausible scenario....

Totally drunk, coming home at night, jumping of the roof of a booth near a pool at your bungalow and break your neck whilst doing this. If accurate, I suspect he was not alone while this happened, we 'll find out soon I guess. If there are no witlessness, be prepared for another 500 pages of pure speculation. And yes, what makes this suspicious is cutting your face on barbed wire.......... is their barbed wire near that pool?

http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/islander-dies-whilst-on-holiday-in-thailand

Maybe barbed wire to prevent drunken tourists from climbing up to the DJ booth and diving into the swimming pool?

RIP.

Young people "living the life" please learn from his terrible experience, whatever his cause of death.

What an inane comment! What are they supposed to learn when there are no facts available? Or do you mean "stop living the life"? Doh!

no facts? drinking is dangerous. the behavior expressed on his facebook page is potentially dangerous. Thailand can be dangerous. Koh Tao has a history of attracting young people who want to party and has drugs available for them. There are no legal limits on selling alcohol no matter how drunk you become. Koh Tao has a history of preying on tourists. third world emergency medical response. the dangerous illusion propagated by the Thai government that Thailand is a safe place.

the exact "facts" of this poor young mans experience in rooted in the framework of this reality.

so young people, please learn from his terrible experience, whatever his cause of death.

"Drinking is dangerous"? That says it all about your attitude, so there is no point in having further discussion with you - have a nice sober day!

RIP.

Young people "living the life" please learn from his terrible experience, whatever his cause of death.

What an inane comment! What are they supposed to learn when there are no facts available? Or do you mean "stop living the life"? Doh!

no facts? drinking is dangerous. the behavior expressed on his facebook page is potentially dangerous. Thailand can be dangerous. Koh Tao has a history of attracting young people who want to party and has drugs available for them. There are no legal limits on selling alcohol no matter how drunk you become. Koh Tao has a history of preying on tourists. third world emergency medical response. the dangerous illusion propagated by the Thai government that Thailand is a safe place.

the exact "facts" of this poor young mans experience in rooted in the framework of this reality.

so young people, please learn from his terrible experience, whatever his cause of death.

"Drinking is dangerous"? That says it all, so there is no point in me commenting further to you. Have a very nice sober day!

RIP.

Young people "living the life" please learn from his terrible experience, whatever his cause of death.

What an inane comment! What are they supposed to learn when there are no facts available? Or do you mean "stop living the life"? Doh!

More world class reporting.

Can't even say where he was found, in what condition and by who. It was useless to read the article since there was no more information in the article than was in the headline.

Yes, why bother - just put Koh Tao in the spotlight again. News Flash! "Dead" and "Koh Tao" That should get the ball rolling again!

It's good news week! (Someone dropped a ........................ etc etc etc - courtesy Hedgehoppers Anonymous)

The topic of this post is the failure of tourists to get travel insurance when visiting Thailand costing the Thai Gov. Hospitals to provide care for them. We have all heard of foreigners over here who have been assaulted at bars and their family now asking GoFunf me ect for $$$ to get their loe one back home or cover the expenses of reconstruction of mouth (sound familiar) or facial damage. Had another guy come over for wedding came down with dengue and needed hospitlization and funds to get home. We hear the stories all the time so stupid when they could get the insurance when they booked the flites but cheap charlies try to save a buck, not a good idea. We are not taliking about expats living here and over 65 thats another deal.

I am in favor of a proposed law that would make anyone who arrives for VISIT to Thailand to prove they are covered by travel insurance and if cannot prove upon arrival pay say 1,000 to 2,000 baht which will go to Gov Hospitals to cover their expenses treating farangs without insurance.

I always took out travel insurance when traveling those that don't are stupid and that.s what the post was saying so many travelers to Thailand without travel insurance which is good for 3---9 months. If living here thats a whole other story.

"We are not taliking about expats living here and over 65 thats another deal".

You need to read the OP again because you've missed the focus, the subject of the lead article is:

"Reports keep resurfacing of foreigners, expats and tourists alike, requiring hospital treatment despite the visitor having inadequate or no travel insurance at all".

So if you're an expat. (LIVING here) why would you buy (or be able to buy)TRAVEL insurance? The section that you quote is poorly written.

like for education. clean air , potable water, even food ......medical care, hospital, doctors assistance and medecine should be a human right and should be free for all of us in this planet......our taxes should be employed first for these kind of vital maters.....!

How much tax have you paid into the Thai system to entitle you to this 'human right' ?

Every time you buy something!

What about retired/elderly expats who live here, but can not afford the extortionate price of private medical insurance?

A good question. I'm 74, fit and healthy and have tried to get medical insurance and I can!. The best quote I had was 600 UK pounds per month - a third of my income. Then there were all sorts of exclusions.

So, the only thing I can do is deposit a 'slush fund' of 500,000 baht in my bank and try and forget it.

I don't mind paying for medical treatment, but I do object to the ludicrous prices the private hospitals charge. My mate had a bad leg infection and needed to be operated on etc. When I visited in hospital (in an unnecessary luxurious room) he begged me to check the current bill he was racking up. It worked out at 40,000 baht per night after 4 days at that point. He had adaily injection for example which was billed 10,000 baht a shot!.

He discharged himself and went back to the UK to continue treatment.

I have made arrangements to be taken to the government hospital if I suddenly have an emergency. I don't need a suite of rooms etc, they can put me in a general ward for all I care.

Finally, on all these threads, many posters say the costs in Thailand are competitive etc. That may be so, but us UK citizens have been so indoctrinated to not paying anything since 1948, we have, in a sense, nothing to compare the prices with. I'm not suggesting in the slightest that we should get anything free here, far from it, but some of the hospitals seem to be 5 star hotels with a hospital attached.

Good post! And I am sure that most of us "older" posters agree with you, and 600 UK pounds a month = 7200 UK pounds a year = 360,000 baht (app) for insurance with restrictions. For most people on a limited budget this is an extortionate sum, and your solution is the best option that I can think of.

Also, your friend did the best thing under the circumstances. In my experience, the Government hospitals are cheaper, but non-emergencies can involve a long wait for treatment - even after you have been admitted. For any serious problem, run for "home" if you are in a position to do so.

P.S. "5 star hotels with a hospital attached" Love it!.

Can we have a card to put in our passports saying that in the event of accident we want government ambulance and government hospital -- before one of the privateers gets hold of us... ?)

Why not man up and get some insurance ?

Let's not start that very old thread again. Insurance is not available for many older folks staying long-term.

Then have the money available to pay your own way. Why should Thailand ... or anyone else ... have to pay for you?

"Then have the money available to pay your own way." Another one who can't read, and is a Republican/Conservative or has a stone for a heart - you would probably abolish the NHS and Medicare if you could, because it sounds like you have a nice fat healthy bank balance! As stated previously, the point is that some older folk on limited incomes can not afford private hospital treatment, but are prepared to pay for treatment at a Government hospital, but it's nice to know in advance how much they are likely to be charged.

By the way, I wonder if you would feel the same way if it was you lying in a hospital bed with a serious illness, and didn't have "the money available to pay your own way"

What about retired/elderly expats who live here, but can not afford the extortionate price of private medical insurance?

I think he was very lucky to be saved to have a heart attack at the age of 41 is unusual most attacks usually happen between 50 and 60 years of age he was lucky there was someone there who had medical knowledge, good for her.

I read he was 49 yo. But that can happen quickly.

Too much cigarettes, coffee and/or alcohol can stop your life.

I have two very good Thai friends, 49 and 52 of age.

Both got a heart attack by unusual efforts.

I got the last training at age 19 with the driving test, how to do a resuscitation cardiac massage.

Kudos and a big kiss to the nurse.

Sorry, but had to laugh:- "Both got a heart attack by unusual efforts.

I got the last training at age 19"

Public Health Minister thanks nurse for saving German tourist

SURAT THANI, 4 December 2015 (NNT) - Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsattayatorn sent a personal thank you letter to a nurse working at Surat Thani Hospital for saving a German tourist from a heart attack.

The nurse, Sikanya Cheurob, was riding a bicycle with a friend when she spotted the German tourist, Gunter Retsch. He had collapsed from a heart attack in front of Surat Thani Cancer Hospital. Ms. Sikanya and her friend were able to bring Gunter to Surat Thani Hospital just in time to revive him. Ms. Sikanya is a nurse at the Department of Male Neurosurgery.

The Public Health Minister said in the letter that Ms. Sikanya performed her duty as a nurse, as well as a Thai citizen, by being a good host to foreigners. Dr. Piyasakol added that she made the Ministry of Public Health and her hospital proud for her act of kindness.

According to the hospital, Gunter Retsch is in stable condition and can be taken off the medical ventilator. He has been given thrombolytic blood thinner to dissolve any dangerous clots and improve blood flow to his heart. Mr. Gunter is expected to remain under hospital care for at least four days until he can be released.

-- NNT 2016-01-04

The department of Male Neurosurgery?

Do Ladies get treatment in a different hospital?

All in all a good news story, a bit confused to his condition a stroke or heart attack?

Get well soon

"The department of Male Neurosurgery?" Possibly a different department for Female Neurosurgery? e.g. Male only and Female only wards?

"A heart attack' was mentioned twice in the article - a stroke,was not mentioned at all, but does it really matter? He was obviously in serious trouble,

and a nurse passing by on a bicycle possibly saved his life by her quick thinking, and well deserves the praise she is getting. Hopefully she will be thanked

properly by the German cyclist tourist when he is fit enough to do so, but your questions are a bit meaningless in the light of the situation. .

P.S. My apologies in part - a later post does mention "stroke"

Public Health Minister thanks nurse for saving German tourist

SURAT THANI, 4 December 2015 (NNT) - Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsattayatorn sent a personal thank you letter to a nurse working at Surat Thani Hospital for saving a German tourist from a heart attack.

The nurse, Sikanya Cheurob, was riding a bicycle with a friend when she spotted the German tourist, Gunter Retsch. He had collapsed from a heart attack in front of Surat Thani Cancer Hospital. Ms. Sikanya and her friend were able to bring Gunter to Surat Thani Hospital just in time to revive him. Ms. Sikanya is a nurse at the Department of Male Neurosurgery.

The Public Health Minister said in the letter that Ms. Sikanya performed her duty as a nurse, as well as a Thai citizen, by being a good host to foreigners. Dr. Piyasakol added that she made the Ministry of Public Health and her hospital proud for her act of kindness.

According to the hospital, Gunter Retsch is in stable condition and can be taken off the medical ventilator. He has been given thrombolytic blood thinner to dissolve any dangerous clots and improve blood flow to his heart. Mr. Gunter is expected to remain under hospital care for at least four days until he can be released.

-- NNT 2016-01-04

The department of Male Neurosurgery?

Do Ladies get treatment in a different hospital?

All in all a good news story, a bit confused to his condition a stroke or heart attack?

Get well soon

"The department of Male Neurosurgery?" Possibly a different department for Female Neurosurgery? e.g. Male only and Female only wards?

"A heart attack' was mentioned twice in the article - a stroke,was not mentioned at all, but does it really matter? He was obviously in serious trouble,

and a nurse passing by on a bicycle possibly saved his life by her quick thinking, and well deserves the praise she is getting. Hopefully she will be thanked

properly by the German cyclist tourist when he is fit enough to do so, but your questions are a bit meaningless in the light of the situation. .

49 is a bit early to be having a stroke!

Well done to the nurse.

PS

Anyone notice the tsta? Another quality tourist.

Kudos to the nurse.

I presume you meant tats, but you were already too drunk to write or edit correctly.

Because he has tsta (medical problem?), i presume you think he is a lowlife, and should'nt be allowed to go on foreign holidays.

Another quality TV Forum member.

Yes, another bigot who judges the book by the cover.

Phuket is the place of mafia, extortion, thief's, cheats & scammers ...... why would anyone want to be in an environment associated with such scum ......

Probably because they prefer it to Koh Tao or Pattaya, which could also probably be tarred with the same brush!

My past gf's brother was a real scumbag and became a monk... So I should respect him??? Not a chance !!! Later he dropped out of monk hood and returned to being the same POS.

I do notice that a lot of them have tattoos, frequently hinting at mis-spent pre-monkhood past. I often wonder if some of these guys will remain monks after the statute of limitations (or just local citizen & police memory of the offences they were being sought for) has expired.

i don't know if this happens in thailand but in cambodia a convicted criminal has the option to avoid jail by becoming a monk.

By the way, where is Suthep these days?

All kind of religion is outdated crap, not only Buddhism.

I saw a very apt quote for this time of year (Peace and Goodwill to all men etc) a few days ago which is worth reposting here :-

"Having a war about religion is like having a fight over who's got the best imaginary friend."

Quote by Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (1929 - 2004).

Just about covers it for me!

YOu have to wonder what kind of person would swim beyond the red flags in high waves if they are not strong swimmers. What were they trying to prove? They paid with their lives.

Its quite often the undercurrent that catches people out

Seems a bit of an obvious comment but you are so right - and the red flags aren't put there for no reason. And it's not just Thailand where people pay with their lives for ignoring an internationally accepted warning sign. I was in Crete (Greek island) many years ago when two people lost their lives in similar circumstances. The hotel disco was closed that night as a mark of respect, but the barman got it right when he said " Why do people ignore the red flags? They must be stupid, but now they are dead stupid."

Fundamentally, I don't see much wrong with Buddhism.

What I do see is wrong is the Thai mis-application of Buddhism.

It is hard to escape the accusation of "They are just men in saffron robes" when Thais can go and be a monk for a month - and then revert to self after leaving the wat. Very often the reasons for becoming a monk are flawed and done under family pressure.

Or political pressure! e.g. Suthep!

As far as I know, samples were never sent to Singapore.

Lucky, happy for you to prove otherwise.

Believe what you want - all I know is that the presiding judge was completely confident about and satisfied with the authenticity of the DNA results that were given to him, and so was the defence, more importantly, as they didn't/couldn't refute them!! The rest is history.

Therefore, it doesn't matter where, when, how, by whom they were tested - they were good enough for him to find them both guilty on all accounts.

Of course it matters! You should engage your brain before making such a ridiculous statement!

From a BBC News article today:-

"Protests against the conviction in Thailand of two Burmese men for the murder of a pair of British tourists have been growing in Yangon.

The Thai embassy's consular section in the Burmese capital said it would be closed for the week in the wake of the "unexpected and prolonged" protests."

What DID they expect? Cheering crowds applauding the "fair and transparent trial"?